Inslee on gubernatorial race: ‘I’m in’

Rep. Jay Inslee said Friday morning on his Facebook page that he’ll kick off his candidacy for governor in Seattle Monday morning, followed by a trip to Yakima. He’ll then have Tuesday events in Tacoma, Vancouver and Spokane.

“I’m in,” Inslee’s post said.

The 60-year-old Inslee, a Democrat, has represented the 1st Congressional District since 1999. Known for his energy and enthusiasm, Inslee will be the second hig- profile candidate to announce this month. Earlier, Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna announced his 2012 gubernatorial bid.

Washington’s race will be one of the races watched nationally, as McKenna and Inslee – two heavyweight candidates – will likely face each other in the fall election next year. Republicans haven’t had a winning candidate for governor since John Spellman in 1980.